Cathedral Square to open for holiday viewing

Cathedral Square will
partially reopen over the Christmas-New Year period to allow
the public to see first-hand the dramatic change that has
taken place in the heart of Christchurch.

The red zone
cordon in place at the intersection of Gloucester and
Colombo Streets is being reconfigured by the Canterbury
Earthquake Recovery Authority (CERA) from this afternoon, to
provide an extended walkway into the Square, leading to a
public viewing area near the police kiosk.

The new public
area will provide much closer viewing of the Christ Church
Cathedral and surrounds compared to the existing walkway in
place at the intersection, which has proven popular.

Weeks of planning have gone into the temporary cordon
change, which is made possible because of the reduction in
work volumes around the Square over the holiday period.

The New Zealand Defence Force personnel based at the
intersection’s red zone checkpoint will continue to manage
public access.

CERA chief executive Roger Sutton says the
experience of seeing the extensive damage to the Christ
Church Cathedral and loss of buildings around the Square may
be difficult for some, but it is important to give people
this opportunity.

``I hope people will go along in their
holidays and see the Square as it is today, and then look
forward to the exciting new space it will become at the
heart of a dynamic new central city – which we will begin
to see unfold in the new year,’’ Mr Sutton says.

``Along with the recent reopening of Victoria Square,
this gives residents and visitors alike the chance to
experience some of our most treasured places.’’

The
extended walkway and viewing area in Cathedral Square will
remain in place until January 6.

The Worcester Street
bridge has also been partially reopened, providing an
additional access point to the Punting on the Avon
attraction.
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